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SOUTH WEST AFRICA, Mandate of South Africa (from 1923 onwards)

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Before overprinted South African stamps were introduced, the stamps of South Africa were used in South West Africa.

 

1923 overprints 'South West Africa' or 'Zuidwest Afrika' on stamps of South Africa, the English and Afrikaans versions were printed side by side

Overprinted 'South West Africa.' (15 mm between the two lines)

  
  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p lilac
  3 p blue
  4 p green and orange
  6 p lilac and black
  1 Sh orange
  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  2 Sh 6 p green and red
  5 Sh blue andred
  10 Sh green and blue
  1 Pound red and green

Overprinted 'Zuid-West Afrika.' (15 mm between the two lines)


First stamp is overprinted 'Zuid-West Afrika.'

 
  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p lilac
  3 p blue
  4 p green and orange
  6 p lilac and black
  1 Sh orange
  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  2 Sh 6 p green and red
  5 Sh blue andred
  10 Sh green and blue
  1 Pound red and green

Overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika.' (15 mm between the two lines)


First stamp is overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika.'

  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p lilac
  3 p blue
  4 p green and orange
  6 p lilac and black
  1 Sh orange
  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  2 Sh 6 p green and red
  5 Sh blue andred
  10 Sh green and blue
  1 Pound red and green

Overprinted 'South West Africa.' (11 mm between the two lines,1924)


First stamp is overprinted 'South West Africa.'

 
  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p lilac
  3 p blue
  4 p green and orange
  6 p lilac and black
  1 Sh orange
  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  2 Sh 6 p green and red
  5 Sh blue andred
  10 Sh green and blue
  1 Pound red and green

Overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika.' (11 mm between the two lines, 1924)


Second stamp is overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika.'

  1/2 p green
  1 p red
  2 p lilac
  3 p blue
  4 p green and orange
  6 p lilac and black
  1 Sh orange
  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  2 Sh 6 p green and red
  5 Sh blue andred
  10 Sh green and blue
  1 Pound red and green

 

1926 Stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'South West Africa.' or 'Suidwes Afrika.'

Inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA'
  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (ship)
  2 p lilac and black (government house in Pretoria, overprint blue)
  3 p red and black (Groote Schuur, overprint blue) 
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)
  1 Sh blue and brown (wild animals 'wildebeest', overprint blue)
  2 Sh 6 p brown and green (wagon traversing river, overprint blue)
  5 Sh green and black (ox wagon, overprint blue) 
  10 Sh brown and blue (Table Mountain, overprint blue)  

Inscription 'SUIDAFRIKA'
  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (ship)
  2 p lilac and black (government house in Pretoria, overprint blue)
  3 p red and black (Groote Schuur, overprint blue)
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)
  1 Sh blue and brown (wild animals 'wildebeest', overprint blue)
  2 Sh 6 p brown and green (wagon traversing river, overprint blue) 
  5 Sh green and black (ox wagon, overprint blue) 
  10 Sh brown and blue (Table Mountain, overprint blue)

These stamps were printed side by side.

 

1926 Triangular stamps of South Africa, overprinted 

Inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA'
  4 p blue (triangle as Cape of Good Hope stamp, overprinted
    'SOUTH WEST AFRICA' in two lines or in one line, imperforate)
  4 p blue (triangle as Cape of Good Hope stamp, overprinted
    'SOUTH WEST AFRICA' in two lines, perforated)

Inscription 'SUIDAFRIKA'
  4 p blue (triangle as Cape of Good Hope stamp, 
     overprinted 'SUIDWES-AFRIKA', imperforate)
  4 p blue (triangle as Cape of Good Hope stamp, 
     overprinted 'SUIDWES-AFRIKA', perforated)

 

1927 Stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S.W.A'

Inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA'
  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (sailship)
  2 p brown and black (government house in Pretoria)
  3 p red and black (Groote Schuur)
  4 p brown (local village with native huts)
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)
  1 Sh blue and brown (wild animals 'wildebeest')
  2 Sh 6 p brown and green (wagon traversing river)
  5 Sh green and black (ox wagon)
  10 Sh brown and blue (Table Mountain)

Inscription 'SUIDAFRIKA'
  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (sailship)
  2 p brown and black (government house in Pretoria)
  3 p red and black (Groote Schuur)
  4 p brown (local village with native huts)
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)
  1 Sh blue and brown (wild animals 'wildebeest')
  2 Sh 6 p brown and green (wagon traversing river)
  5 Sh green and black (ox wagon)
  10 Sh brown and blue (Table Mountain)

 

1927 Stamp of South Africa, King George V issue of 1913, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

  1 Sh 3 p lilac
  1 Pound red and green

 

1931 Various designs, inscription 'SOUTH WEST AFRICA' or 'SUIDWES AFRIKA', printed side by side

  1/2 p green and black (bird)
  1 p red and blue (ship and cross)
  1 1/2 p brown (train, 1937)
  2 p brown and blue (rocks)
  3 p blue and black (building)
  4 p brown and green (view of mountain and tree)
  6 p brown and blue (view of city)
  1 Sh blue and brown (landscape with tree)
  1 Sh 3 p light brown and grey (animals)
  2 Sh 6 p grey and red (animals drinking in river)
  5 Sh brown and green (local village)
  10 Sh green and brown (plant)
  20 Sh green and red (falls)

All values exists with inscription 'SOUTH WEST AFRICA' or 'SUIDWES AFRIKA'.

Official stamps:


(overprint 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL', reduced sizes)


'OFFICIAL' and 'OFFISIEEL' overprints on 6 p stamps.


Fiscal stamps; postage stamps with overprint 'REVENUE' or 'INKOMSTE'

 

1933 'Voortrekker Commemoration' or 'Voortrekker Herdenking' stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

  1/2 + 1/2 p green and black (image of church)
  1 + 1/2 p red and black (wagon going uphill)
  2 + 1 p lilac and black (sitting man with hat)
  3 + 1 1/2 p blue and black (girl)

Two types exist, with inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA' or with 'SUID-AFRIKA'.

 

1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V, inscription '1910-1935'

  1 p red and black
  2 p brown and black
  3 p blue and black
  6 p lilac and black

 

1937 Coronation of King George VI, King facing left, inscription '19 37' on top; stamps with inscription 'SUIDWES-AFRIKA POSSEEL' and 'SOUTH WEST AFRICA POSTAGE' were printed together

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black
  1 1/2 p orange and black
  2 p brown and black
  3 p blue and black 
  4 p lilac and black 
  6 p yellow and black 
  1 Sh black

For stamps in a different design, issued for most other British colonies, click here.

 

1938 Voortrekker fund (centenary commemoration) stamps of South Africa, all different designs, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

Inscription 'VOORTREKKER CENTENARY 1838 1938'
  1/2 p green (ploughing)
  1 p red and grey  (carriot on mountain)
  1 1/2 p green and brown (voortrekkers meeting local King)
  3 p blue (monument)

Inscription 'VOORTREKKER EEUFEES 1838 1938'
  1/2 p green (ploughing)
  1 p red and grey (carriot on mountain)
  1 1/2 p green and brown (voortrekkers meeting local King)
  3 p blue (monument)

The two language types were printed side by side.

 

1938 Voortrekker commemoration (Voortrekker herdenking) stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

Inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA'  
  1 p red and grey (wheel with chain)
  1 1/2 p red and blue (voortrekkers looking at rainbow)

Inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA'  
  1 p red and grey (wheel with chain)
  1 1/2 p red and blue (voortrekkers looking at rainbow)

The two language types were printed side by side.

 

1939 Huguenot commemoration stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

Inscription 'HUGUENOT COMMEMORATION 1688 1938'
  1/2 p green and olive (house)
  1 p red and grey (rising sun)
  1 1/2 p violet and green (house and mountains, larger size)

Inscription 'HUGENOTE-GEDENKFEES 1688 1938'
  1/2 p green and olive (house)
  1 p red and grey (rising sun)
  1 1/2 p violet and green (house and mountains, larger size)

The two language types were printed side by side.

 

1941 War effort stamps of South Africa, overprinted with small 'SWA'

Large format (9 stamps)

  1/2 p green (soldier, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  1 p red (nurse, inscription inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  1 1/2 p green (pilote, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  2 p violet (sailor, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  3 p blue (woman with red cross hat,
    inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  4 p brown (tank viewed from front, 
    inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')
  6 p orange (welding, inscription 'Suid-Afrika' or 'South Africa')
  1 Sh brown (tanks)
  1 Sh 3 p brown (soldier, 1943, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SOUTH AFRICA')

Small format (8 stamps, Bantams)

  1/2 p green (soldier, inscription 'Suid-Afrika' or 'South Africa'
    rouletted at one or two sides)
  1 p red (nurse, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SUID AFRIKA'
    rouletted at one or two sides)
  1 1/2 p brown (pilote, inscription 'Suid-Afrika' or 'South Africa'
    rouletted at left or right)
  2 p violet (sailor, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' or 'SUID AFRIKA'
    rouletted at left or right)
  3 p blue (woman with red cross hat, inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' 
    or 'SUID AFRIKA', rouletted at one or two sides)
  4 p green (tank, only one design, rouletted at one or two sides)
  5 p orange (welding, inscription 'Suid-Afrika' or 'South Africa'
    rouletted at left or right)
  1 Sh brown (tank, only one design, rouletted at bottom or top)

 

1945 Victory stamps of South Africa (both 'SOUTH AFRICA' and 'SUID AFRIKA' overprinted 'SWA'

  1 p red and brown (soldier)
  2 p violet and blue (agriculture)
  3 p blue (man and woman looking at star)

The overprint exists on both 'SUID AFRIKA' and 'SOUTH AFRICA' stamps.


Basic South Africa 1 p stamps and similar 'Basutoland' and 'Swaziland' overprints

 

1947 Royal visit stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S W A'

Inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA' 
  1 p black and grey (King George VI)
  2 p violet (King and Queen)
  3 p blue (princesses)

Inscription 'SUID-AFRIKA' 
  1 p black and grey (King George VI)
  2 p violet (King and Queen)
  3 p blue (princesses)

 

1948 Silver wedding of King Georg VI and Queen stamps of South Africa, overprinted with small 'SWA'

  3 p blue (South Africa)
  3 p blue (Suid-Afrika)

 

1948 UPU 75th anniversary stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S W A' inscription ''UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION SOUTH AFRICA' or 'WERELDPOSUNIE SUID-AFRIKA'

  1/2  p green
  1 1/2 p red
  3 p blue

The two language types were printed side by side.

 

1950 Voortrekkers stamps of South Africa, 'SUID-AFRIKA SOUTH AFRICA' printed on one stamp, overprinted 'SWA'

  1 p lilac (wagon with people)
  1 1/2 p green (monument)
  3 p violet (candle with book, woman and man on horse on both sides)

 

1952 Van Riebeeck tercentenary stamps of South Africa, various designs, inscription '1652 1952', overprinted 'SWA'

  1/2 p olive and lilac (V.O.C. coins)
  1 p green (portrait of lady)
  2 p violet (sailing ships)
  4 1/2 p blue (Jan van Riebeeck portrait)
  1 Sh brown (scene of 1652)

 

1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth

  1 p red
  2 p green
  4 p lilac
  6 p violet
  1 Sh brown

 

1954 Various designs, rockpaintings, local people and animals

Rockpaintings
  1 p red
  2 p brown (white lady of the Namib)
  3 p lilac
  4 p green

Local people
  6 p green (horn blower)
  1 Sh lilac (Owamba woman)
  1 Sh 3 p red (Herero woman)
  1 Sh 6 p lilac (Owamba girl)

Animals
  4 1/2 p blue (Karakul sheep)
  2 Sh 6 p brown (lion)
  5 Sh blue (gemsbok or oryx)
  10 Sh green (elephant)

 

1961 Various designs

  1/2 c blue and brown (General Post Office, Windhoek)
  1 c lilac and brown (rock, 'Finger of God')
  1 1/2 c orange and black (statue, Reiterdenkmal)
  2 c yellow and green (quiver tree)
  2 1/2 c blue and brown (S.W.A. house)
  3 c lilac and blue (birds and Swakopmund lighthouse)
  3 1/2 c green and blue (fishing industry)
  5 c blue and red (flamingo)
  7 1/2 c yellow and brown (Kristus church)
  10 c blue and yellow (diamond industry)
  12 1/2 c yellow and blue (Namutoni fort)
  15 c brown and blue (Hardap dam)
  20 c orange and brown (precious stones, topaz)
  50 c orange and black (precious stones, tourmalin)
  1 R blue and yellow (precious stones, heliodor)

 

OFFICIAL STAMPS

1927 Stamps of South West Africa (King George V) with overprint 'OFFISIEEL' or 'OFFICIAL'

  2 p lilac ('Suidwes Afrika' vertical and 'OFFISIEEL' horizontal)
  2 p lilac ('South West Africa' vertical and 'OFFICIAL' horizontal)

Both types are printed side by side.

 

1927 Stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL S.W.A' or 'OFFISIEEL S.W.A.'

  1/2 p green and black ('Suidwes Afrika' vertical and 'OFFISIEEL' horizontal)
  1/2 p green and black ('South West Africa' vertical and 'OFFICIAL' horizontal)
  1 p red and black ('Suidwes Afrika' vertical and 'OFFISIEEL' horizontal)
  1 p red and black ('South West Africa' vertical and 'OFFICIAL' horizontal)
  6 p orange and green ('Suidwes Afrika' vertical and 'OFFISIEEL' horizontal)
  6 p orange and green ('South West Africa' vertical and 'OFFICIAL' horizontal)

Both types are printed side by side.

 

1927 Stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL S.W.A' or 'OFFISIEEL S.W.A.' horizontally

  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (ship)
  2 p brown and grey ('S.W.A.' and 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL' far apart)
  2 p brown and grey ('S.W.A.' and 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL' close, 1929)
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)

 

1929 Stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL S.W.A' or 'OFFISIEEL S.W.A.' vertically

  1/2 p green and black (springbok)
  1 p red and black (ship)
  6 p orange and green (orange tree)

 

1931 Stamps of South West Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL' (thin overprint)

  1/2 p green and black (bird)
  1 p red and blue (ship and cross)
  2 p brown and blue (rocks)
  6 p brown and blue (view of city)

 

1938 Stamps of South West Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL' (different font from the 1931 overprints, the letters are larger)


(overprint 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL')

  1/2 p green and black (bird)
  1 p red and blue (ship and cross)
  1 1/2 p brown (train, 1937)
  6 p brown and blue (view of city)

 

1951 Stamps of South West Africa, overprinted 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL' (different font from the 1931 and 1938 overprints, the letters are fatter)

  1/2 p green and black (bird)
  1 p red and blue (ship and cross)
  1 1/2 p brown (train, 1937)
  2 p brown and blue (rocks)
  6 p brown and blue (view of city)

AIRMAIL STAMPS

1930 Airmail stamps of South Africa, overprinted 'S.W.A.'

  4 p green
  1 Sh orange

Specialists distinguish two different sizes of the 'S.W.A.' overprints.

 

1931 Aeroplane

Inscription 'SUIDWES AFRIKA'
  3 p blue and brown
  10 p brown and black (different design)

Inscription 'SOUTH WEST AFRIKA'
  3 p blue and brown
  10 p brown and black (different design)

 

Postage Due Stamps

1923 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuid-West Afrika' or 'South West Africa'

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black 
  1 1/2 p yellow and black
  6 p grey and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 14 mm.

 

1923 Postage due stamps of Transvaal of 1907, overprinted 'Zuid-West Afrika' or 'South West Africa'

  5 p lilac and black
  6 p brown and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 14 mm.

 

1923 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuid-West Afrika' or 'South West Africa'


Reduced size

  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 10 mm.

 

1923 Postage due stamp of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika' or 'South West Africa' (thus 'Zuidwest' instead of 'Zuid West')


Reduced sizes

  1 p red and black (perforated or rouletted)

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 14 mm.

 

1924 Postage due stamp of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika' or 'South West Africa' (thus 'Zuidwest' instead of 'Zuid West')

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black 
  6 p grey and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 14 mm, 'South West' is 16 mm long.

 

1924 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika' or 'South West Africa'


Reduced size

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black 
  1 1/2 p yellow and black
  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 9 1/2 mm, inscription 'Zuidwest'.

 

1924 Postage due stamps of Transvaal of 1907, overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika' or 'South West Africa'

  5 p lilac and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 9 1/2 mm, inscription 'Zuidwest'.

 

1924 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Zuidwest Afrika' or 'South West Africa'


Reduced sizes

  1/2 p green and black
  1 1/2 p yellow and black
  3 p blue and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 12 mm, inscription 'Zuidwest'.

 

1927 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'Suidwes Afrika' or 'South West Africa' (thus 'Suidwes' instead of 'Suidwest')


Reduced size, block of four 2 p stamps

  1 1/2 p yellow and black
  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black
  6 p grey and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 12 mm, inscription 'Suidwes'.

 

1927 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA SUIDAFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETAAL', overprinted 'Suidwes Afrika' or 'South West Africa' (thus 'Suidwes' instead of 'Suidwest')

  1 p red and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 12 mm, inscription 'Suidwes'.

 

1928 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIE VAN ZUID AFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETALEN', overprinted 'S.W.A.'

  3 p blue and black
  6 p grey and black

 

1928 Postage due stamps of South Africa of 1914, inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA SUIDAFRIKA', 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'TE BETAAL', overprinted 'S.W.A.'

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black 
  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black
  6 p grey and black

The distance between the two lines of overprint is 14 mm.

 

1931 Inscription 'SOUTH WEST AFRICA SUIDWES AFRIKA POSTAGE DUE TE BETAAL', value in ellipse

  1/2 p green and black
  1 p red and black
  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black
  6 p grey and black

 

1959 As 1931 issue, but reduced size

  1 p red and black
  2 p lilac and black
  3 p blue and black

 

1961 As 1959 issue, but value in 'cents'

  1 c green and black
  2 c lilac and black
  4 c lilac and black
  5 c blue and black
  6 c green and black
  10 c yellow and black

 

1972 Inscription 'SWA TE BETAAL TO PAY'

  1 c green
  8 c blue

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer